September Self-Care Challenge
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Self care: went to an upscale Flea Market bought soy candles and a few clothing items. Ate a big chocolate chip cookie and considered that dinner! Spur of the moment went to church; I havent been there in a year. And during and afterwards, I felt so much better. *My church is very calming, uplifting , not finger point, judgmental type.
Saw my sister at church and had a few chuckles afterwards. We don’t see each other often. We are polar opposites in every way but still best of friends.
This evening, read a new book by candlelight and will go to sleep soon with windows open-soft rain falling. Perfect self care day! Hope you are all well. I love reading your posts; we are all unique but similar too. Xo2 -
All your posts make me Zen out!
Did a tough half marathon this morning, made nicer by doing half of it with my running club.
Now I'm doing my duty minding our local artists' gallery for a few hours and doing some drawing on my iPad, and posting about running and nice things.
@MadisonMolly2017 I was thinking I'd try a flan/quiche thing and buy a base, beat some eggs, and chuck them, asparagus, cherry tomatoes, mushrooms, and olives in it, and bake.
Other than that, I just got the urge to add All The Veg to everything. Love how you can bulk up your plate with very few calories by adding veg.
I love stir fry!! DH is a whiz at making it. We have it usually every week - veg, sauce, pork or chicken, and usually Hokkai noodles.1 -
@Orphia, I agree about weekends! I walked to our farmers market this morning and spent time choosing veggies with helpful suggestions from the growers. Came home and washed, blanched, and chopped.
I am currently rewarding myself for milestones in two areas: each 50 days that I'm alcohol free (Only 40 so far so no reward yet) and each 5 lbs. that I lose (bigger reward for the "tens" and mini-reward for the "fives"). I have one pound to go until a bigger reward and decided I would get some lovely pjs, which I desperately need anyway. So I spent a long time browsing different kinds of luxurious pajamas online. That was fun and relaxing. I found some I love at Garnet Hill from a company called Green Cotton, which harvests cotton in an eco-friendly way. Got the site bookmarked for when that one pound loss shows up on the scale.
I also created a lovely graph of my weight day-to-day for the last month (That's about the extent of my drawing ability). It was really encouraging to see the consistent downward trend despite those weird upward blips that happen for no apparent reason. I know some people advocate weighing only once a week, but if I did that, I'm afraid one of those "blips" would happen on weigh day and I'd be bummed. That's just the weird way my psyche works.
Wishing everyone a lovely Sunday!4 -
@donimfp Nice plan!! Happy Day 40!
I agree about weighing daily - I've done that for over 3 years, and log it in my Happy Scale app.
Weighing once a month made me too nervous! My hands would shake.
Weighing daily, you get to observe the female cyclical trends, and the daily ups and downs, and notice water weight "gains" due to exercise, sodium, medication, dehydration, injury, hormones, etc. It teaches you not to worry so much.
You get really used to the fluctuations, and in Happy Scale, it shows you your moving average trend, smoothing out the daily fluctuations and gives you a nice downward line graph.1 -
I went for an evening stroll with my friends along the Thames. We had dinner watching the sun go down behind St Paul's. The lights on the river are stunning. One more full day before we go home.
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Yesterday and today I took time to sit in the porch while I drank my coffee. It has been such a hot summer and we never really got spring. I haven't been able to do as much of the outdoors stuff I enjoy. I sit on the porch in the mornings sometimes but it gets so hot so quickly. Yesterday and today it's been cool and rainy so it's felt like fall. My favorite season! It's back to hot weather in the next day or so.3
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@TerriRichardson112, Swoon!!!0
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Today's self care: Took a walk (absolutley beautiful day today) to the dollar store and had a look at their fall decor. Bought a couple of things that made me smile. Didn't spend that much. Came home and was hungry, so I had a honeycrisp apple with some peanut butter. My favorite snack. I've been trying to do more mindful eating and only when I'm physically hungry.
Later tonight is Bears vs. Packers! Can't wait!5 -
@donimfp I also weigh daily, and agree that it is comforting to recognise the trends. It has removed all the stress of worrying about sudden weigh in day rises, as I know what to expect based on what I have eaten each day.
Today I went to Covent Garden Market and browsed the arts and craft stalls.
I had the most divine hot chocolate in one of the cafes in lieu of lunch.
We fly home mid afternoon tomorrow , so will have time for a final wander round Tate Modern after breakfast. *sigh*4 -
Had a great weekend - patio hangouts with friends I haven’t seen for a while yesterday, a long walk with a different friend today, and a lot of relaxing on the couch reading! feeling relaxed & ready for the work week ahead!4
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Today I did yoga at home for the first time in a while. I haven't been motivated to do it by myself for several months. But, I made it through the whole half hour practice! And it was one to really focus on stretching the hoops and lower back. I needed it and I think that's why I finished. I also bought myself two new sports bras that will hopefully have enough support for my high intensity workouts. It was a good day and I'm looking forward to my workouts tomorrow.2
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Today is all about enjoying the little things, I spent some time watching the ducks in the river out the back of work and took a lunchtime leisurely stroll in the spring sunshine3
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Yesterday's indulgence was a last stroll round Tate Modern, then a prawn salad sitting in the sun people watching with my friends.
Flight home was delayed but I had jigsaws on my iPad to keep me happily occupied. Sleeping in my own bed last night was bliss.
Today the sun is shining. I am going to my Craft Group this morning, and doing a presentation on Manet for my art history group this afternoon.4 -
Drawing, blended marker experiments, digital manipulation of one image with my apps!! 1.5-2 hours. Had a blast!5
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Yesterday wasn't the best day. I spent too long indulging my depression. Didn't even take a shower. Just lay in bed listening to the radio all night. I did get 15,000 steps during the day yesterday though, so that was good.
Today I feel a little better. Got up early and did some work, then took the shower I was supposed to take yesterday. Made myself a sandwich to take for lunch (gluten free bread, turkey, dairy free cheese).
The weather has been so nice lately, almost like fall. Maybe after work tonight I'll have a stroll around the park.4 -
TerriRichardson112 wrote: »Yesterday's indulgence was a last stroll round Tate Modern, then a prawn salad sitting in the sun people watching with my friends.
Flight home was delayed but I had jigsaws on my iPad to keep me happily occupied. Sleeping in my own bed last night was bliss.
Today the sun is shining. I am going to my Craft Group this morning, and doing a presentation on Manet for my art history group this afternoon.
@TerryRichardson112
If you get a chance, I’d love to know
1. What you think is the most important thing to know about Manet...
2. What is the little known most interesting tidbit about him!
Also, could you let me know about your Craft Group...do you Work on your crafts together or hear guest speakers or give critiques? Who organizes it?3 -
I hope it's not too late to join. I'd love to do this.5
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My daughter texted me a few pictures of my granddaughters (2 and 4) playing under the dining room table. My daughter had strung fairy lights around and across the table legs and draped a cloth over the sides. The girls were obviously in tent/fort heaven. It reminded me to be creative in making simple things pleasurable.5
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MadisonMolly2017 wrote: »
@TerryRichardson112
If you get a chance, I’d love to know
1. What you think is the most important thing to know about Manet...
His single-mindedness in the pursuit of his own style influenced many of his contemporary fellow artists to break away from the constraints of the formulaic art taught in the Art Academies at the time.
2. What is the little known most interesting tidbit about him!
Although his art was ahead of his time, he himself was very conventional and bourgeois.
Also, could you let me know about your Craft Group...do you Work on your crafts together or hear guest speakers or give critiques? Who organizes it?
The groups that I run/belong to are organised by the group members themselves under the auspices of a international life-long learning charity. (U3A - University of the Third Age) we have over 70 different interest groups. I am a volunteer leader for 4 of the groups.
The Craft Group meets twice a month to work on a variety of crafts. We share expertise either on a one to one basis, or in group workshops. The group has over 20 members with a diverse range of arts and crafts skills and interests.
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I would love to be a part of this!!!!!4
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Another rough night last night. I've been stress eating a lot lately, especially in the middle of the night. I have no idea why I do this, but I just wake up and go eat then go back to bed. If I could find a way to keep from waking up several times a night in the first place, I could probably solve the problem.
Until then, what are some other things I could do instead of eating when I'm stressed out?2 -
TerriRichardson112 wrote: »MadisonMolly2017 wrote: »
@TerryRichardson112
If you get a chance, I’d love to know
1. What you think is the most important thing to know about Manet...
His single-mindedness in the pursuit of his own style influenced many of his contemporary fellow artists to break away from the constraints of the formulaic art taught in the Art Academies at the time.
2. What is the little known most interesting tidbit about him!
Although his art was ahead of his time, he himself was very conventional and bourgeois.
Also, could you let me know about your Craft Group...do you Work on your crafts together or hear guest speakers or give critiques? Who organizes it?
The groups that I run/belong to are organised by the group members themselves under the auspices of a international life-long learning charity. (U3A - University of the Third Age) we have over 70 different interest groups. I am a volunteer leader for 4 of the groups.
The Craft Group meets twice a month to work on a variety of crafts. We share expertise either on a one to one basis, or in group workshops. The group has over 20 members with a diverse range of arts and crafts skills and interests.
Thank you Very Much! 💕1 -
RespectTheKitty wrote: »Another rough night last night. I've been stress eating a lot lately, especially in the middle of the night. I have no idea why I do this, but I just wake up and go eat then go back to bed. If I could find a way to keep from waking up several times a night in the first place, I could probably solve the problem.
Until then, what are some other things I could do instead of eating when I'm stressed out?
I think meditation would really help you. Get a meditation app. Free one is “insight timer”. You can pick a time limit , as long or short.,... I use one before i sleep. I really like it. Also, Maybe see if you can get a sleep med? Or take benedryl, or magnesium or whatever will hep you not wake up. I’m sorry you feel depressed lately. I sometimes go to therapy to talk it out. Sending you hugs.3 -
I sat on a park bench, sipped coffee, and watched a little squirrel (must have been a young one) hop all around like a bunny. It pranced, jumped, climbed, scampered.... it was the cutest little thing.4
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RubyRed427 wrote: »RespectTheKitty wrote: »Another rough night last night. I've been stress eating a lot lately, especially in the middle of the night. I have no idea why I do this, but I just wake up and go eat then go back to bed. If I could find a way to keep from waking up several times a night in the first place, I could probably solve the problem.
Until then, what are some other things I could do instead of eating when I'm stressed out?
I think meditation would really help you. Get a meditation app. Free one is “insight timer”. You can pick a time limit , as long or short.,... I use one before i sleep. I really like it. Also, Maybe see if you can get a sleep med? Or take benedryl, or magnesium or whatever will hep you not wake up. I’m sorry you feel depressed lately. I sometimes go to therapy to talk it out. Sending you hugs.
Melatonin might help0 -
RespectTheKitty wrote: »Another rough night last night. I've been stress eating a lot lately, especially in the middle of the night. I have no idea why I do this, but I just wake up and go eat then go back to bed. If I could find a way to keep from waking up several times a night in the first place, I could probably solve the problem.
Until then, what are some other things I could do instead of eating when I'm stressed out?
Agree with @RubyRed427 Deep Breathing exercises and Meditation help to get us into the right frame of mind to sleep. Don't get discouraged if it takes you a few tries to get the hang of it. YouTube has lots of channels with very good meditation videos. I use The Honest Guys, the Mindful Movement, etc.2 -
Thanks everyone for your suggestions!
Right now I do take melatonin to help me sleep, but I still wake up a lot, so I think I might need something stronger. Next time I see my doctor I will ask about it.
I used to meditate with an app called Headspace, but I haven't done it in a really long time. Now might be a good time to pick it up again. Maybe when I wake up and feel like I need to eat, I can try to meditate instead. Worth a shot!3 -
@RespectTheKitty - sorry you're having a tough time - i used to wake up and snack too, but I found placing a cup of water beside my bed and drinking that when I woke up distracted me enough to keep me from actually getting up and going to the kitchen!
@RubyRed427 - great suggestions!2 -
Hi, I just saw this post. Can I still join even though we are nearly halfway through the month?2
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